The Scott Spotlight
February 10, 2023
Principal: Linda Reha
School Address: 804 Wilson St. DeWitt, MI 48820
Office Phone Number: 517-668-3400
Attendance Phone Number: 517-668-3458
Website: https://scott.dewittschools.net/
Start Time: 8:30 a.m. (First bell rings at 8:25 a.m.)
Students may be dropped of at 8:10 a.m. or later. Supervision is not available before 8:10 a.m.
Dismissal Time: 3:20 p.m.
School Events
Feb. 14: Valentine's Day
Feb. 15: Early Release Day for Teacher CLT (11:57 a.m. dismissal)
Feb. 20: No School - Presidents' Day
Reha's Report
Dear Scott School Families,
Winter benchmark assessments are completed, the data is in, and our team is celebrating our Scott School success. Read all about our students' growth further down in this newsletter. It's a fact that educators constantly remind one another, students, and families that one assessment doesn't define a child as a learner. Indeed multiple data sources provide a greater picture of a student's strengths and areas for growth. Nonetheless, it is exhilarating when our school-wide data reflects the hard work, dedication, and learning that is taking place in our school. The validation is gives students and staff is rewarding and provides motivation to keep at it. I am proud of our team, and that team includes students, staff, and families, so thank you!
On a much heavier note, in local events this week, many schools were targets of swatting which is when a person, group of people, or an organization makes a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to dispatch a large number of law enforcement officers to an address. Thankfully, no building within DeWitt Public Schools was targeted in this recent incident. However, a neighboring district was as were several others statewide, and the calls were specific to false school shooting reports. My stomach flip-flops and my heart crumbles every time a school shooting and safety incident happens in our country, as I'm sure yours does too. We have an urgent need to rally together to ensure that our students and educators learn in a safe environment. My plea to you is to talk with your child about the importance of expressing big feelings in ways that are productive and non-violent. Modeling this and enforcing age appropriate television viewing and video games are also desirable ways to fuel the brain development of our youth. Teaching peaceful conflict resolution, promoting that it's okay to ask for help, and supporting children when they do reach out for support is essential. Listening and responding in ways that allow children to ask for mental health help teaches them that trusted adults are reliable resources. Being aware of behavior signs and evidence that may be reflective of therapeutic needs can be difficult, but often beneficial when support is sought. Locking up firearms if you own them and ensuring the key and/or combination are not accessible to children is a responsible way to prevent a possible tragedy. Encouraging children to say something when they see or hear anything that is dangerous, destructive, or disturbing by reaching out to helpers empowers them to have a voice and take action. Together, we can make a difference and change the narrative and news reports that are far too common in our nation.
Our children deserve it. Our parents deserve it. Our educators deserve it.
In partnership,
Linda Reha
Scott School Principal
Winter Acadience & NWEA Data
Second Grade Acadience Data
Hip hip hooray! 78% of our second graders scored at or above benchmark (green on pie chart) and five second graders moved out of the intensive group (red on pie chart).
Third Grade Acadience Data
Hip hip hooray! 79% of our third graders scored at or above benchmark (green on pie chart), eight third graders moved out of the strategic group, and 14 third graders moved out of the intensive group (red on pie chart).
Second Grade NWEA Math & Reading Data
Hip hip hooray! 85% of our second graders scored in the average and above range (yellow, green, and blue bands) on the NWEA math assessment, and 74% of our second graders scored in the average and above range (yellow, green, and blue bands) on the NWEA reading assessment.
Third Grade NWEA Math & Reading Data
Hip hip hooray! 88% of our third graders scored in the average and above range (yellow, green, and blue bands) on the NWEA math assessment, and 81% of our third graders scored in the average and above range (yellow, green, and blue bands) on the NWEA reading assessment.
Field Trip Fun
Scott School students are enjoying their educational field trips which have been made possible from our fall Fun Run fundraiser. Thank you, families, community members, and friends for supporting student enrichment opportunities and off site learning. Here are are pictures of students from various second and third grade classrooms having an awesome time at Impression 5 Science Center.
Spring Pictures & Yearbook
Spring Pictures are scheduled for: Tuesday, March 7th. Also, you can order a yearbook at: www.ybpay.com
Be sure to include this information when buying a yearbook online:
School Name: David Scott Elementary School
Yearbook ID Code: 14438923
Attendance and Truancy
School attendance for students is critical to their success. We understand there are years when students face more illnesses than other years. Please be mindful of getting a doctor's note to share with our office if your child's absences, tardies, and/or early release day numbers are high or begin to increase. In line with our district attendance policy, once a student reaches 10 absences, a truancy letter is sent to families. Every five days thereafter a letter is sent, and a truancy officer referral often occurs. The intention of a truancy officer's involvement is to provide families with resources and support to remove barriers that are impacting a student's attendance. The article, Why Does Attendance Matter? provides additional insight on the importance of school attendance.
Helping Students Problem Solve
Scott School students have learned to use various tools to help them with problem solving , using calming tools, and identifying when unexpected behavior is rude, mean, or bullying. Here are some of the tools we use that you can consider using at home too.
Crosswalk Safety Update
Blinking light pedestrian signs will be installed at the crosswalk on Wilson St. that is nearest to the school. The City of DeWitt is installing these as an additional safety measure for our students and all pedestrians. When individuals are wishing to cross the street, they simply push the button on the sign and a blinking light will ensue to catch the attention of drivers. Please continue to be on the lookout for our young students regardless if a light is flashing or not. Our collective efforts to keep our students safe is critically important.
Girls on the Run
Calling all third grade girls interested in joining Girls on the Run. This program meets after school and focuses on wellness, confidence building, developing friendships, and girl empowerment. Check out these flyers for additional information.
Car Loop Requirements & Busing
Please remember that the car loop should be used for all students being dropped off and picked up instead of parking in front of the building or doing so in the road. Also, supervision is not available for students who are dropped off in other locations, so please be mindful of this. Our pick up loop is the safest area to transport students to and from school.
Also, DPS has been down bus drivers periodically this year, so please be prepared for alternate transportation if your child rides a bus whose route gets canceled on a given week. If this affects your bus riding student, you can expect to hear from Transportation. If you are not contacted about this then busing for your child has not been impacted. When students need to be picked up from school in our car loop, a sign with student's first and last name legibly printed in large font must be in each driver's window. This allow for an efficient and effective pick up process at the end of the day. Thank you for following our procedures!
Safe School Procedure
Parents and guests should always check in at our main office by pushing the intercom button to talk to an office staff member and signing in before entering our school. Even if you are a frequent volunteer at Scott School, please refrain from walking into our school with a staff member who has fobbed into the building. We are working hard to maintain a safe school environment and need your help with this procedure. Thank you!
Sick = Stay Home
Please help keep our school community healthy by keeping your child home if he/she is ill. Read these CDC and health department resources and infographics below for steps to take if your child contracts COVID, is exposed to the virus, or contracts a different communicable disease.
Allergy Awareness
There are some Scott students who have health-threatening nut allergies in our building. Scott School is a 'No Nut' building. Pack items that do not contain nuts for your child's lunch and snack. It is critically important that we provide a safe learning environment for all students, and your help with this is needed and appreciated. Please always contact your child's teacher if you have a concern about an allergy or other health condition related to your child that they should be aware of. Also, if your child has a medical need, including food or other allergies, don't forget to update your child's Medical Management Plan by completing and submitting the district forms to the office before school starts so we can follow protocols to keep your child safe.
School Breakfast & Lunch
School breakfast and lunch is available to all students. Unfortunately though, neither is no longer free to all students like it was the past two years. However, to apply for free and/or reduced lunch, click here. For additional information about how to create an account for your student and access menus, click here. Also, read the attached flyer for more details about how to create an account and contact information for our district Food Service Director, Sandy Leach.
Medical Forms
In order for Scott School personnel to administer medication to your child when we return to in person instruction, you must:
Submit a completed district medication form to our office.
Be sure all medications are brought to and stored in our office.
Be sure prescription medication is in its original container accompanied with a physician’s signature.
Be sure non-prescription medication is in its original container accompanied by a parent’s signature.
Please communicate with your child's teacher if he/she takes medication daily at school.
If your child has a medical condition, please be sure to complete a Medical Management Plan for your child and turn it in at the office.
Medication and other medical forms can be found on our DeWitt Public Schools website.
Looking for Additional Support?
Our school social worker, Mrs. Schwarz, is always willing to assist students and families in any way possible. In addition to working closely with your child's teacher, consider reaching out to her if you have questions or need support. She is truly amazing at what she does! She can be reached at 517-668-3446 or schwarzdea@dewittschools.net.
Attendance Line
When your child is absent, please call the Scott School Attendance line: 517-668-3458. Substitute Teachers cannot access a teacher's email, so please call the office when your child is going to be absent, will be dropped off or picked up outside of regular school hours, or has a transportation switch. Please call before 3:00 pm, for all after school changes.